Delicious - Sustainable - Diverse

Family owned & operated small farm in rural Northern Idaho

Meet the Farmers

We are Brandon and Mindy Helms, happily married with two children who help around the farm. ​When living in Oregon, we purchased five acres and couldn't imagine what we would do with all that space. It didn't take long before our homesteading and just-for-fun projects exceeded our space and we decided we wanted to take things up a level. We were quite crowded with four horses, a large fruit patch, a 40-tree orchard, a vegetable garden, two ponds, five beehives, a forest area, a flock of chickens, and flight pens for our other poultry. We had owned milking goats and Dexter cows, but there just wasn't room for everything. The beauty of northern Idaho and favorable raw milk regulations enticed us to purchase land here and start a small farm. We found 78 acres of rolling meadows with scattered forests and spring fed ponds east of Lake Coeur d'Alene.

​The land had historically been farmed, at least in part, but had been largely neglected and became overrun with noxious weeds. We have spent years erecting fencing, rehabilitating the land, and enhancing the environment for both domestic and wild animals. ​We are continually looking to root out noxious and poisonous plants, improve existing ponds and streams as well as adding new ones, and plant beneficial trees (aside from the orchard) to provide shade, shelter, and habitat to our livestock as well as the wildlife around us. Our goal is to be self-reliant, farm sustainably by employing permaculture and holistic practices, produce amazing-tasting diverse food, and enjoy our family and animals.

Brandon 2012

Brandon's professional background is in engineering and construction and his skills are indispensable in designing and building on the farm. He enjoys traveling and watching professional football (Redskins fan) and baseball (Yankees fan). You are most likely to meet Brandon at the farm and not so likely at markets as he does not enjoy crowds and works full-time in non-farming activities. He is partial to his horse Scarlet, cat Ghibli, and Weimaraners. Goats are his favorite of the livestock.

Mindy 2013

​Mindy's background in business and nursing have proven helpful in running the business and taking care of the multitude of animals. She enjoys traveling, cooking, myriad hobbies, and overseeing daily operations of the farm. You are likely to meet Mindy at the markets as well as a visit to the farm as this is her fulltime employment. She is partial to her Clydesdale boys and guardian dogs, and her favorite livestock is whichever one she happens to be working with at the moment.

Tess 2016

Liam 2016

​Our children Tess and Liam participate in regular farm operations. They are both home schooled year-round and work at markets, milk animals, feed livestock, harvest crops, gather eggs, and lots of planting as well as less pleasant and dirty chores.

Tess enjoys entrepreneurial hobbies (soap making, beekeeping, etc.), braiding, softball, gymnastics, and riding her horse. She is partial to her dogs Trixie and Link, her cat Smaug, lionhead rabbits, and fish she keeps in her aquarium. With regards to a favorite livestock, she can't decide.

​Liam enjoys traveling and adventures, trying new things, drawing, gymnastics, photography, and spending time with good friends. He is partial to his chi-mixie Charlie and cat Mochi. His favorite livestock to work with are the goats.